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All data is now stored on the CCBB file server, files.ccbb.utexas.edu. This should make it easier for us manage user accounts, and data. Also, it will be easier to keep that data backed up. From the user perspective, you can continue to just use phylocluster to access your files. However, the file server provides "drag and drop" access to your files. For more information,
see the file server web page. If you didn't already have access to files.ccbb.utexas.edu , you will need to come to PAT 141 for an account. People who used phylofiles.ccbb.utexas.edu for this "drag and drop" access to the cluster will likewise need to come get a new account.
This is supported by the purchase of a new Gigabit Ethernet switch, so you should not see any problems other maybe some delay when a lot of people are trying to access their files. This would also happen if files were locally stored on disk. It's just the nature of using a shared system. There is tuning we can do if things get seriously overloaded, but this requires that you let us know when this occurs, so that we can collect evidence as to what needs to be adjusted.
User Accounts
Not all user accounts have been migrated. Instead, only those people known to be using the cluster currently have been moved. The remaining accounts are being archived, but can easily be migrated if needed. Just let us know. Going forward people needing access to the cluster for the purposes of classes will be given a generic student account which can be disabled when the class is over. All other accounts will periodically reviewed to ensure that they are still needed. Keeping accounts on the system which don't have people using them is a big security risk, so we should avoid this if possible.
If you need your account put back on the cluster, please let us know.
Applications
The applications in /share/apps are not upgraded from the previous cluster version. This may mean that some things may crash, or refuse to run depending on what has changed in the cluster software. If you notice a problem, please let us know. To avoid problems like this in the future, 4 of the old phylo nodes have been set aside for a test cluster which can be used to test new cluster releases before deployment.
Also, more and more applications are being ported to the modules infrastructure. Modules make the use of applications more transparent, and allows us to keep several versions of a given package active. For more information about using software modules, please refer to the module home page.